Scent swaps and circadian feeding may help preemies leave ventilators faster
NCT ID NCT07622459
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested two simple, drug-free interventions for premature babies on breathing machines: feeding them breast milk at times that match the mother's body clock, and exposing them to the mother's scent while giving the mother the baby's scent. Researchers tracked how quickly babies could be taken off the ventilator, their weight gain, and mothers' mood. The goal is to find gentle ways to improve outcomes for fragile newborns and their families.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If the approach works, it could lead to simple, low-cost ways to help premature babies get off breathing machines sooner and support mothers' mental health.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, single-center study with 75 babies per group. Results may not apply to all preemies, and the interventions are behavioral, so effects may be modest.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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150 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2025
- Finished
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Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Up to 1 year
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Preterm neonates born before 37 weeks of gestation * Intubated neonates requiring mechanical ventilation support * Within the first 24 hours after birth * Receiving enteral feeding * Mothers willing to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Congenital anomalies or major malformations * Genetic syndromes or severe systemic diseases * Contraindications to breastfeeding (e.g., maternal HIV infection or cytotoxic drug use) * Inability of mothers to participate in study procedures
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Sanliurfa Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Sanliurfa, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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